For decades, women have hid or worked tirelessly to remove their body hair, while clean-shaven legs have long been considered a red carpet requirement.
But now this narrative seems to be shifting, with more and more women ditching the razors for a more authentic and progressive look.
On September 5, actress Phoebe Bridgers made her debut at Venice Film Festival for her upcoming film, Primetime.
But while Phoebe enjoyed a seven-minute standing ovation for her work on the big screen, the 32-year-old actress also made headlines for her striking leg hair.
Dressed in a glamorous Gucci skirt for the film’s photocall, Phoebe’s unshaved legs were praised for inspiring other women to unapologetically embrace their body hair.
But now that body hair is slowly coming back into fashion, how do you prevent ingrown hairs or a messy and unkempt look?
According to esthetician Shantelle Clark, “Phoebe’s decision to show off her natural body hair was definitely a statement on her part.”
She told The Daily Mail: ‘Anyone who wants to do the same can achieve the same look by treating the hair on their body as they would the hair on their head.
‘The key word here is ‘intentionally’. Long and unshaved body hair emphasizes that the person has deliberately chosen that look, while stubbly and unkempt body hair gives the impression that the person does not care much about details.’
Read on to discover the essential tips and tricks to follow when caring for your adult body hair, and the absolute mistakes to avoid…
On September 5, actress Phoebe Bridgers made her debut at the Venice Film Festival for her upcoming film, Primetime. Dressed in a glamorous Gucci skirt for the film’s photocall, Phoebe’s unshaven legs were praised as inspiring other women
According to esthetician Shantelle Clark, ‘Phoebe’s decision to show off her natural body hair was definitely a statement on her part’
Avoid irregular or uneven stubble
According to Dr. Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics, “longer, well-maintained body hair can often look more intentional than very short regrowth.”
“Stubble can sometimes look patchy or patchy because the hair is in different stages of growth,” he explained.
‘Shaving can also make the skin look dry, irritated or bumpy.
‘That doesn’t mean stubble is unattractive, it’s just a regrowth phase that may require a little more skin care if you want the area to look and feel its best.’
Medical esthetician Dr Gizem Seymenoglu added: ‘If the hair is allowed to grow out evenly, it can often look softer and more conscious than during the stubble phase.
‘Short regrowth, on the other hand, can feel coarse and appear diminished, even simply because the hairs are in different stages of growth.’
According to Dr. Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics, “longer, well-maintained body hair can often look more intentional than very short regrowth.” Pictured: Julia Roberts shows off her unshaved armpits in April 1999
Prioritize skin care instead of ‘managing’ the hair itself
According to Dr. Perry, the choice to embrace your natural body hair is one that should certainly be celebrated.
However, the expert advises not to neglect your skin.
“The most important thing is to take care of the skin rather than trying to ‘manage’ the hair yourself,” he said.
‘A gentle body wash followed by a moisturizer helps keep the skin hydrated, especially on areas such as the legs, which can become dry.
“There’s no need to scrub aggressively or use a lot of products.”
Exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs
Esthetician Sana Khan explained that a ‘gentle exfoliant’ can help ‘keep skin supple and remove dead skin cells’, which is essential if you choose to leave your body hair natural.
She added: ‘This can also be particularly helpful for people who get ingrown hairs. Personally, I use a plant-based body brush to aid in gentle exfoliation.
‘One word of caution is that over-exfoliation or aggressive exfoliation can contribute to irritation and worsen the situation, such as redness or peeling.’
Meanwhile, Dr. Perry noted that “exfoliation can help with ingrown hairs.”
‘Gently exfoliating a few times a week can help remove dead skin cells and reduce the chance of hairs becoming trapped beneath the surface,’ he advised.
‘However, avoid vigorous scrubbing immediately after shaving or waxing as freshly treated skin can be particularly sensitive.’
Esthetician Sana Khan explained that a ‘gentle exfoliant’ can help ‘keep skin supple and remove dead skin cells’, which is essential if you choose to leave your body hair natural. In the photo: Julia Mitchells shows off her body hair
Moisturize at specific times for maximum effect
While moisturizer may seem less important if you’ve chosen to embrace your natural body hair, experts warn it’s key to preventing pain or irritation.
Ms Khan said: ‘Keeping the skin well hydrated makes a big difference. Applying aloe vera or a moisturizer can tackle dry, flaky skin under body hair, while hydrated and hydrated skin gives a much nicer overall finish.’
Likewise, Dr. Perry: ‘A gentle body wash followed by a moisturizer will help keep the skin hydrated, especially on areas such as the legs, which can become dry.
“There’s no need to scrub aggressively or use a lot of products.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Seymenoglu explains that moisturizing can help “keep skin softer and hair coming to the surface more easily.”
‘You don’t have to scrub the skin aggressively; gentle exfoliation is sufficient. When moisturizing, applying after showering while the skin is still slightly damp can help lock in hydration.”
Invest in the right shower gels and vitamins
While the end of shaving may mean no more buying expensive shaving cream or razor blades, experts warn that the products you use on your skin in the shower remain crucial.
Ms Clarke explains that moisturizing shower gels in particular are essential to prevent irritation and can sensibly keep the skin clean.
In addition to shower gel, she also noted that if you want to grow your body hair, the right vitamins are worth considering.
She advised: ‘Make sure your vitamin D and B12 intake is sufficient for growth.’
While the end of shaving may mean no more buying expensive shaving cream or razor blades, experts warn that the products you use on your skin in the shower remain crucial. In the photo: Emma Corrin with unshaved armpits
Cut the length and choose loose-fitting clothes
Edy Kurowska, founder of Edy London, said: ‘Growing up doesn’t mean doing nothing. A weekly clean of the spoolie and a little trim of anything that hangs over gives a fullness that still looks stylish.’
Likewise, Dr. Perry that if the skin under the body hair feels uncomfortable, the type of clothing may play a role.
“Loose-fitting clothing can also be helpful after waxing or shaving, as friction and sweating can make irritation worse,” he said.
‘One of the biggest mistakes is trying to make body hair look ‘perfect.’ Whether you have visible leg hair or completely hair-free legs, healthy-looking skin is much more important.
‘Body hair is normal, and there has been a welcome shift towards people feeling less pressure to remove it simply because of social expectations. The key is choosing a method that works for them and taking care of the skin before and after.’
